Lord Drayson: Currently, there are around 3,600 UK military personnel in the south of Afghanistan, in addition to civilian staff from a range of other government departments (OGDs) and from other nations. As I announced to the House on 10 July 2006, the Helmand Task Force is to expand to some 4,500 personnel, including around 320 engineers who will engage specifically in reconstruction work. The primary role of UK forces deployed in Helmand will remain to support the Afghan security forces in creating a secure environment that enables others, including the Afghan Government, the United Nations, OGDs and non-governmental organisations to engage in reconstruction and development work.

Lord Drayson: As part of the introduction of joint personnel administration (JPA) a number of new allowances have been introduced and some old allowances have had their policy changed. Both of these actions have, in some instances, generated savings to offset increased provision in other areas and so ensure that the overall allowance package is broadly cost neutral. The new/revised allowances which may produce savings include:
	Female Clothing Grants
	Civilian Clothing Grants (Hot Posts)
	Compensation for Lost and Damaged Effects
	Local Overseas Allowance
	Get You Home (Overseas)
	Get You Home (Islands)
	Northern Ireland Journeys
	Northern Ireland Resident's Supplement
	Recruitment and Retention Allowance (London)
	Disturbance Allowance
	Removal Expenses
	Separation Allowances
	Get You Home (Early Years)
	Get You Home (Seagoers)
	Subsistence Allowances
	Missed Meal Payments
	Special Messing Allowance
	Northern Ireland Compensatory Food Allowance
	Home to Duty Travel (Public) and (Private)
	It should be noted that some of the above allowances will be effected by other policy changes which will increase the costs of the allowance package; hence in some instances the net result may be an increase.

Lord Triesman: We remain deeply concerned by the recent events in Gaza and call for the immediate and unconditional release of Corporal Shalit. We also urge Israel to act with restraint and in accordance with international law.
	We continue to call upon Hamas to commit to the quartet's (EU, US, UN and Russia) three principles: to renounce violence, recognise Israel and accept previous agreements and obligations. Hamas need to start implementing these principles. We are ready to take the peace process forward with it if it does.
	We have made no assessment on Hamas' likelihood of recognising Israel since the abduction of the Israeli soldier.

Lord Warner: The Department of Health is continuing its work with stakeholders to develop a national action plan for adult hearing services and we aim to announce the publication of the action plan in the near future.
	The department estimates that 80 per cent of referrals to adult hearing services from general practitioners are direct to audiology departments. We acknowledge the risk that there may be pressure to redirect these existing direct referrals to ear, nose and throat consultants in secondary care, as this way patients would be covered by the 18-week target. The measures that are being taken to address this risk are detailed on page 31 of the publication 18 Week Patient Pathway: Delivery Resource Pack, which is available in the Library and on the department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/13/46/70/04134670.pdf.
	Referrals for the assessment and fitting for digital hearing aids are not subject to waiting times targets. We acknowledge that there are likely to be pressures in waiting times for audiology services, which is why we are in the process of developing the action plan. The department will be working with stakeholders to look at how best to support the National Health Service to do this.